Editing David Duke (section)

==History==
David Duke was born on July 1<sup>st</sup>, 1950 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He and his family from time to time relocated around the world; they lived in Tulsa, Amsterdam, and Louisiana. He attended John Kennedy Senior High School in New Orleans and attended Louisiana State University shortly after. Some time in his late teenage years, he met [[William Luther Pierce]], who would be instrumental in Duke's hateful beliefs. He was a member of various white supremacist clubs at LSU, and got a Bachelor of the Arts degree. Not long after he graduated from college, he joined the [[American Nazi Party]].

Shortly after, he founded the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (KKKK), and registered himself as "Grand Wizard". To make it appear as if the KKKK was a "white rights advocacy group", David Duke changed the uniform from the ghostly Klansman robes to normal business suits, and at the instruction of a follower, changed the title of the head of the KKKK from "Grand Wizard" to "National Director". David Duke claimed he left the Klan because of many members "doing stupid and violent things", and appointed [[Thomas Robb]] as his successor in leading the group.

David Duke would then on go to run for various political offices; only winning one position as Louisiana State Representative, and losing against a landslide against two Democratic nominees in the general election for Governor and Senator from Louisiana. After pursuing politics for a time, David Duke would then emphasize on his [[anti-Semitism|antisemitism]], and become a prominent hate-mongerer against Jews via media, radio, and internet.

David Duke was convicted in 2002 of felony fraud. He falsely told supporters that he was in financial trouble; he was not in financial trouble and was in fact financially secure, and even used it for recreational gambling. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison and served the sentence at FCI Big Spring, Texas.<ref name = fraud>[https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/19/us/david-duke-pleads-guilty-to-tax-charge-and-fraud.html David Duke Pleads Guilty To Tax Charge And Fraud], ''The New York Times''</ref>

David Duke attended a college in Ukraine; the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, or MAUP. He received a Doctor of Philosophy degree. As a result, claims to have a PhD in history. However, the university is not sanctioned, nor recognized by the Ukrainian government, and the university itself has a reputation for spreading antisemitic message. This is further backed with his doctoral thesis being titled "Zionism as a Form of Ethnic Supremacism".

In the 2010s; near the 2016 United States presidential election cycle, Duke has associated himself with the [[Alt-Right]]. When asked about [[Donald Trump]], his stance has not been consistent. He praised Trump due to various stances, but has also harshly berated him online for Trump's support of Israel.

He attended the highly infamous [[Unite the Right rally]] in 2017, where he said he came to "fulfill the promises of Donald Trump". However, he also later repeatedly insulted him online for his support of Israel.<ref>[https://wjla.com/news/local/david-duke-speakers-unite-the-right-rally-dc David Duke among planned speakers for 'Unite the Right' rally in D.C.], ''WJLA''</ref><ref>[https://www.vox.com/2017/8/12/16138358/charlottesville-protests-david-duke-kkk "Why we voted for Donald Trump": David Duke explains the white supremacist Charlottesville protests], ''Vox''</ref>

David Duke donated an uncertain amount to Tulsi Gabbard in the 2020 Democratic primaries. He cited Ilhan Omar as the "most important member of congress" in what he perceived as full-on antisemitism on her part after she made comments criticizing current Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]].<ref>[https://www.timesofisrael.com/david-duke-endorses-tulsi-gabbard-for-president-she-says-no-thanks/ Tulsi Gabbard rejects David Duke endorsement for president], ''The Times of Israel''</ref><ref>[https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-david-duke-a97b8b2d48c163c5965c2574ccbbe3d3 David Duke praises Rep. Ilhan Omar], ''AP News''</ref> However, when Gabbard withdraw from the presidential race, Duke once again declared support for Donald Trump.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/kkk-trump-david-duke-tucker-carlson-election-2020-a9609491.html Former KKK leader endorses Trump for president again – and Tucker Carlson for VP], ''The Independent''</ref>